Gang weeder with tractor hitch



Dec. 9, 1930. R. M. LARGENT T 1,784,362

GANG WEEDER WITH TRACTOR HITCH Filed June 9, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet l C 'l E' L 57 INVENTOR A. 15!. Large/2f ATTORNEY Dec. 9, 1930. R LARGENT 1,784,362

GANG WEEDER WITH TRACTOR HITCH Filed June 9, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 M T \b w N We w 2 N N @Fy w 1 4% q fi INVENTOR ATTORNEY 5 Shets-Sheet s IHKM QE sK in E R. M. LARGENT Filed June 9, 1927 [F rl '11 INVENTOR Elfin/42217 ATTORNEY Dec. 9, 11930.

GANG WEEDER WITH TRACTOR HITCH Patented Dec. 9, 1930 Umrsn STATES PATENT caries RALEIGH M. LABGENT, OF WALLA WALLA, WASHINGTON, ASSIGNOR T CHENEY WEEDER COMPANY, OF CHENEY, WASHINGTON, A CORPORATION OF WASHINGTON GANG WEEDER- WITH TRACTOR HITCH Application filed June 9, 1927. Serial No. 197,706.

The present invention has for its objects the provision of a gang weeder for use especially with tractors and the invention not only lies in the mannerof arranging the several units of the gang but in the manner in which these units are hinged tothe tractor whereby to provide a well balanced machine that can be used close up to fences and will not leave strips of untreated soil'between adjacent units. In other words it is an object of my invention to provide a weeder composed of a plurality of standardized units so combined as to permit the machine to work close up to fences and prevent leaving untreated strips between adjacent units of the machine and to so connect the several units by a draft appliance ofsuch character that the units may be drawn by a tractor or other draft means. a Well balanced fashion.

Another object of theinvention is to provide a single lever control or lifting device for tilting all weeder units frames with respect to the plane of the draft appliance, 111

unison for the purpose of increasing or diminishing the depth of penetration of the several rotary rods and to remove such rods from the ground when it is desired to transport the machine from field to field so that all units will at all. times tend. to maintain the same relative position with respect to the surface of the ground, thereby giving a unified action of the rods at a uniformdistance beneath the surface of the ground when the machine is in operation.

WVit-h other objects in view which will be apparent to those skilled in the art invention also resides in those novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, which will be hereinafter described,

' and then be specifically pointed out in the appended claims, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of a machine composed of three units the preferred embodiment of the invention).

Figure :2 is an end elevation of the same.

Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the same.

Figures 4;. and 5 are detail perspective views. of portions of the invention.

Figure 6 is a detail section on the line 6-6 of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a detail perspective view of a portion of the invention.

Figure 8 is a detail section on the line 8-8 of Figure 2.

In the drawing in which like letters and numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures, the several units composing the machine are designated respectively by the letters A, B and C. As the construction of each unit is substantially the same the same reference numerals on the several units indicate corresponding parts.

Each unit comprises front and rear beams 11 preferably constructed of angle irons, longitudinal beams 2 also preferably constructed of angle irons and diagonal braces 3 as may be required to provide a substantially rigid rectangular frame, the frame consisting of the beams 1 and 2 and braces 3.

Standards 4; are carried by the frame (goose-neck standards being preferred), the standards having bearing shoes 5 of any ap proved kind for the rotary rods 6. 7 desigf" nates the tumbling or telescopic rod which is connected by universal joints 8 to the rotary rod 6 and to the driven shaft 9, the latter being driven by a suitable power transmission connection with the driving shaft 10 that carries the driving wheel 11. The power transmission connection may be of any approved type, preferably however it consists of the driving wheels shaft 10 that is mounted in bearings 12 and carries a driving sprocket 13 over which and over idler sprockets 14 a driving chain 15 passes in such manner that the rotary rod 6 will be turned (pref erably) in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the driving wheel.

The several driving wheels 11, and a wheel 16, that does not function as a driver, serve as supporting wheels. The supporting wheel 16 is mounted on a shaft 17 that is journalled in suitable bearings 18 at the right hand end (looking forward) of the machine as clearly indicated in Figure 1 of the drawing.

19 designates hinge brackets secured on the adjacent ends of the longitudinal bars 1 ofthe respective units and these hinge brackets 19 are apertured to receive the hinge rods 20. Suitable spacing collars 21 are provided whereby the frames of the adjacent units are stepped or offset with relation to one another, slightly, in order that the rotary, rods 6 of the respective units may not interfere with one another, and in order that the ro- .tary rod of each unit may project beyond the end of the frame.

It'will be noted from Figure 1 that the rod 6 of unit 0 projects beneath the frame of unit B a distance sufficient to overlap the tumbling rod of unitB,

.or in other words, to project far enough to effect an operation in the ground which will prevent leaving a layer or line of untreated soil between that treated by the rod 6 of unit C. and the rod 6 of unit B. Likewise the rod 6 of unit B laps unit'A while the rod 6 of unit A rojects correspondingly beyondthe end of t lat unit so that the machine'may be workedlclose up toa fence F indicated in dotted lines in Figure 1. I

22 designates tractor hitch draft brackets secured tothe rear beams 1 of the several units, the brackets 22 being suitably braced transversely and longitudinally by braces 24 and 25 respectively.

23 aremembers secured to the brackets 22 (the members 23 of units A and C being preferably swiveled to the brackets). These members 23 are of bifurcated type and serve as a means to which the hitch drafts bars 26- 26 of the central'and end sections respectively are connected by suitable hinge bolts. V

The draft bars 26 which are connected with the central unit B preferably converge slightly as they project forwardly beneath the front beam 1 and extend tothe front cross beam 29 and the draft frame to which they are secured by suitable fastening devices 32, in a rigid manner. The draft bars by suitable connecting frame which is also rigidly secured to the draft bars 26 and the beam 30 is connected with the beam29 at the ends by diagonal braces 31. V

The bars 26 are connected to the beam 30 devices 32 such as U bent clamps or the like.

33 is the draft tonguewhich is rigidly secured centrallyto the beams 30 and 29 and extends forwardly of the beam 29 and isprovided with a hitch eye 34 by means of which it may beicoupled to atractor.

35 designates bearing brackets on the front beam 1 of the several units, in which bear.-

ing brackets the liftingdeviceshafts 36 (of V 40 designates lifting arms secured 45 secured to the frame of the section adjacent whichthe lever .43 is positioned. By positioning the lever atthe central section the operator of the tractor has thelever within easy reach for manipulating'purposes.

' By manipulatingthe lever 43 the frames of the several units may be tilted in unison with respect to the plane of the draft devices thereby causing shallower or deeper penetration of the shoes 5 into the ground according tothe position of the lever, or complete elevation of the shoes 5 out of the ground when the lever isin an extreme position.

- The draft bars 27 may be 'rigidly'or pivotally'secured to the'beam 29 but where it is desired to permit considerable degree of movementbetween the several sections it is preferable to make the connection between the parts 27 and 29 pivotal so that twisting strains on the bars 27 and their brace 29 may be reduced to the minimum. a

From the foregoing description, takenin connection with the accompanying drawing, it will be noted that by arranging the units as indicated a well balanced machine is provided and by stepping the units and permitting the rods of the several units to project" beyond the ends, of the several units, the rod on the right hand unit A canwork up close to the fence F fwhile' therods of the other two units overlap the adjacent units sufficiently to take care of thatstrip of the ground located between the driven end of the rotary rod and the extreme end of the frame adjacent thereto, thus in effect giving theoperative advantage of a rotary rod whose length is equal to the overall spread of the machine. Again it will be seen that I have provided a very effective yet simple but strong draftappliance 50 connected with thescveral unitsas to balance the pull or resistance encountered indrawingthe machine along and preventing lateral or 'zigzag motion ofthe machine. Furthermore the provision of the single lever lifting device by means of which all of the frames may be tilted in unison, the operationof adjusting theseveral frames to give the proper penetration of the rod is accomplished with one operation instead of with a series of operations as would be the case not wish to be understood as limiting my invention to a device composed of .three units.

In ;referring in the specification, to .the frame of the weede'r unit 1 donot wish to -be understood asllimiting myself to anyparticular-type of-fram'e eonemade up'of several longitudinal bars connected by transverse bars as shown) but the frame 7 may be made up of a'single beam or body or a single elenrent instead of aseriesof parts rigidly-secured into a unitary structure.

While \the invention has been especially devised for tractor-drawnmachines, nevertheless 11 do not desire i-t understood as limitingthedraftingmeans to atractor-as horses -may be used for ,pulling the ma- 'chine 1 over the vground cif desired.

While the present invention was devised particularly with .respect to rotary rod weed- -ers, it isquite obvious that itanay housed in connection with-other kinds of argricultural -IH3Cl1lI-I6S 38, for instance, stationary rodweeders, blade aveeders and other wheeled cultivators-employing-ground work- 7235 ing elements which-are adapted to, penetrate the surface of theground and i such adaptations-can be made without-departing from the spirit of the {present invention.

From the foregoing description, taken in :connection with the accompanying drawing, it is thoughtthe complete construction, operation, andadvantages of my invention willlbe clear-to those skilled .in theart to 7 which it relates.

1. In combination with a'plurality 'of'rotary-ro'd Weeder'nnitseach includinga body having "rod supports and a rotatable rod 'journaled in bearings on said supports, said units also including supporting and driving *wheels means flexibly connecting said units I together endwise on longitudinal axes -where- "by-said units 'may 'rise and' 'fall to accommodate them to the surface of the igro-un'd "traverse'dythe rotary-rod of one unit 'pro- :j-ecting to overlap an adj acent unit whereby to treat the groundbythe'rodsinqacon- :tinuous way from 7 the T outer end of one end unitto the outer end-of theopposite-end unit for the purposes specified, and adraft appliance connected to the severalunits.

' ""2. :In combination with-a plurality of rotary. rod Weederaunits each: includinga body having :rod supports and it rotatable irod -journaled;inibearingsr.on saidssupports,asaid units also including supporting and driving wheels; -means flexibly connecting saidunits -.togetherendwise on longitudinal axes whereby said'units-may-rise and fallto accommodate them tothe surface of the ground trav- V ersed, the rotary-rodof one unit projecting to overlap an adjacent unit whereby-totreat the groundby therods in a continuous way from the'outer end of one endunittothe outer-end-of theopposite end unit for the purposes specified, and a draft appliance connectedto theseveral units,'and a lifting device eonnecting the bodies of said units with said draft appliance.

3. In combination with a central rotary rod weeder unit and sideunits hingedly connected end to end -on longitudinal axes, each unit including afframe od standards and a rotary rod ;--s aid units includingv supporting anddriving wheels and driving connections between said: driving wheels and rotary rods, each unit also including a rock shaft mounted'in hearings on the respective -.fran1es, flexible connections betweentheacent ends of sa1d.rock-shafts,=a lever for rocking said rock shafts, a draft frame connected-with theunits and an arm and link connection-between said draft fnameand said rock shafts.

4. In combination with a central rotary. rod Weeder unlt and side unlts hmgedly connectedendtoend on longitudlnalaxes,-each un1t including '--a frame, rodstandards and a retar y rod; said units beingstepped one-in ad Vance of another wlth therodof OIIGUIIlt I overlapping the-adjacent unit, said units in respective :frames, flexible connections b'etween-the adjacent ends of said rock, shafts,

a lever 1-for rocking said rock shaftsyaw draft frame connected WllZll the llllltS: and-an= arm and linkconnectmn between said drafttframe and said rock shafts. V v

- 5. In combination with a a central weeder =unitand side weeder units: hingedly connect- 'QCliQHd to end-on-longitudinal axes, ea ch unit includinga-frame,:rod standards and a rotary rodysaid units including supporting.

and driving wheels and driving connections between 1S31Cl' driving wheels and Sitld 1 units rods, each llnltaftlSO includlng a rock shaft mounted in i bearings on the frame, flexible connectionsbetweenltheend of adjacent rock shafts, a lever for-rocking said rock shafts,

a draftframe including a central rigid section hinged to-the frame of the central unit and lateral sections hinged to the frames of adjacent side units, articulated connections :between said rock shafts and the draft frame, :and: means to holdsa-idlever in various positions of ii-adjustment.

6. Inv combination with a: central 'Weeder nnitan d; side 1 weeder units-hingedly. connec EGG ed end to end onlongitudinal axes, each unit including a frame, rod standards and a romounted in bearings'on the frame, flexible connections between the end. o'f adjacent rock shafts, a lever for rocking said rock shafts,

a draft frame including a centralrigid sec-- 'tionhinged to the frame of the centralunit and lateral sections hinged to the frames of adjacent side'units, articulated connections between said rockshafts and the draft frame, and means to hold said lever in various positions of adjustment, pendent supports secured tothe rear bar of each frame to which pendent supportssaid draft frame is hingedconnected whereby as said lever is moved I the frames of the several weeder units will be inclined as one frame;

7 v p I with respect to said draft 7. In combination with a plurality of r0- tary rod-units including supporting and driv- 1 ing wheels, each unit including a frame, rod supports and a rotary rod; means flexibly connecting said units together endwise to accommodate themselvesto the contour of the ground travelled over, the rods ofadjacent units overlapping, a draft frame lymgbes neath the units frames and hingedly connected tosaid frames in proximity to'places directly over the rotary rods, and a lever operating means associated with thelseveral units for adjustably connecting the draft frame to the several units frames whereby the planes of the units frames may beinclined to different angles with respect to the planeof the draftframe.

8. In combination with'a-plurality of romr rod units including supporting and driving'wheels, each unit including a rame, rod supports and a rotary rod;*means flexibly connecting said units together endwise .to accommodate themselves to the contour of the ground travelled over, the rods of adjacent units overlapping, said driving wheels including-a wheel on one unit with driving connection to the rotary rod of an adjacent unit, a draft frame lying beneath the units frames and hingedly connected to said frames 'in proximity toplacesdirectly over the 'rotary rods, andfa lever operating means associated with the several units for adjustably connecting the draft frame to the several units frames whereby the planes of the units frames'ma'y be inclined to different angles vI e together endwi'se whereby said units'inay with respect to the plane of the draft frame.

9.- In a rotary rod weeder, the combination with a unit including a frame, rod carrying standards, a rotary rod and means to rotate the rod and sustain the frame above the ground; a tractor hitch including draft bars hingedlysecured to "the units frame at'a place in proximity to the rotary rod and extheframe and in 'advance'thereof, front'and rear cross beams in advance of said frame,

and means for rigidly securing said draft bars to said front cross beams, a central draft beam;

secured to the front and rear cross beams and extending forwardlyrof the same, and means at the front end of said central draft beam by which it'may be secured to'a draft appliance. V

' 10. In a rotary rod weeder, the combination with'a unit including a frame, rod'carrying standardga rotaryrod and means torotate the rod and sustain the frame above the ground; a tractor hitchincluding draft bars hingedly secured to the unit's frame at a place in proximity to the rotary rod and'extending forwardly beneath the remainder of the frame and in advancethereof,front' and rear cross beams, in advance of said frame,

and means for rigidly'securing said draft I bars' to said front cross beams, a-central draft beam secured to the front and rear cross beams and extending forwardly of the same, and means at the front end of-said central draft beam -by which it maybe secured to a draft appliance, a rocking shaft journaled link connections 'between said rockshaft and said tractor hitch, a lever secured to said" 'rocksha'ft, a holding segment mounted on said weeder frame, said lever having a holding latch associated with said segment, all

being arranged whereby upon manipulation of said lever the plane of said weeder frame" may be inclined to different angles'with respect to theplane'of the tractor hitch.

11. In combination with a central rotary unit including a frameirodestandards and 'a rotary rod saidunitsincluding supporting and driving wheels and driving connecconnections between the adjacent ends of said rock'shafts, a 'lever for-rocking sai'drock shafts, a draft frame connected with the units and an arm and link connection between said draft frame and said rock'shafts,

12. In combination with a plurality vof agricultural machine units'each of which'include's' a frame mounted on wheels, and

ground: working elem'ents carried by the frame; means hingedly securing said frames respect to the plane of the draft frame;

In combination with a plurality of agricultural machine units each of which inin bearings on said weeder frame, arm and rodweeder unit and side units hingedly coni nected end to end on longitudinal axes, each cludes a frame mounted on wheels, and ground working elements carried by the frame; means hingedly securing said frames together endwise whereby said units may rise and fall to accommodatethe units to the surface -.of the ground being passed over, .a draft frame ifiexibly connected to the several units,rand means including a single operating lever for tilting all units with respect to the plane of the draft frame.

14. In agricultural machines, a central unit and side units hingedly connected end to endonlongitudina-l axes, each unit including a frame, standards and ground working elements carried by the standards; wheels to support said unit-s above the ground combined with a rock shaft for each unitmounted in bearings on the respective frames, connections between adjacentends of said rock shafts, a lever for rocking said rock shafts, a draft frame connected with said units and an arm and link connection between said draft frame and said rock shafts.

1 5. A. weeder comprising a plurality of rotary rod units, each including a supporting body, a rotary rod and a ground Wheel for operating the rotary rod, the rotary rod of one ,end unit projecting beyond its supporting body whereby to work close up to fences; means hingedly connecting said units together endwise on longitudinal axes whereby. said units may rise and fall to accommodate themselves to the surface of the ground traversed; and a draft appliance con nected to the said several units.

16. A weeder comprising a plurality of rotary rod units, each including a supporting body, a rotary rod and a ground wheel for operating the rotary rod, the rotary rod of one end unit projecting beyond its supporting body whereby to work close up to fences; and the rotary rods of adjacent units overlapping whereby to treat the ground by the rods in a continuous way from the outer end of one end unit to the outer end of the opposite end unit, means hingedly connecting said units together endwise on longitudinal axes whereby said units may rise and 'fall to accommodate themselves to the surface of the ground traversed; and a draft appliance connected tothesaid several units.

17. A weeder comprising a plurality of frames flexibly connected together endwise on longitudinal axes; a rotary rod carried by each frame, one end of each respective rod projecting beyond an end of its frame, means separately effecting rotation of the respective rotary rods; and a draft appliance connected with said frames.

18. A weeder comprising a plurality of units, each including a supporting body, and a rotary rod carried thereby, the rotary rods of the respective units projecting beyond one I end of their respective supporting bodies;

means for flexibly connecting said support- I ing bodies endwise together;'means to drive said rotary rods; a draft appliance connected to said units, the rods of the several units from one end unit toward the other end unit overlapping whereby to treat the ground in a continuous way from the outer end of one end unit to the outer end of the opposite end unit.

19. In combination with a plurality of rotary rod weeder units each of which includes frame and means for supporting the frame above the ground; means hingedly securing said frames together endwise whereby said units may rise and fall to accommodate the units to the surface of the ground being passed over, a rigid draft frame flexibly connected to the several units and means for tilting all units with respect to the plane of the draft frame.

20. In combination with a plurality of rotary rod weeder units, each of which includes a frame and means for supporting said frame above the ground; means hingedly securing said frames together endwise whereby said units may riseand fall'to accommodate the units to the surface of the ground being passed over, a rigid draft frame flexiblyconnected to theseveral units and means including a single operating lever for tilting all units with respect tothe plane of the draft frame.

.21. A plurality of rotary rod weeder units including frames connected endwise (and means :for supporting said frames abovezthe ground, atractor hitchcomprisinga draft frame with idraft bars hingedly connected with the respectiveunits :frames, and a lever and link device connecting the several units frames with the draft ,frame whereby the units frames may beinclincd to different degrees with respectto the planezof thehitch. 22. In combination with a plurality .of rotary rod weeder units each of which in cludes a frame and means supporting the frame above the ground; vmeans hingedly securing said frames together endwise whereby said units may .riseand fall to ac commodate the .unitszto the surfaceof the groundbeing passed over, a draft frame connected to the several units and means for tilting all units with respect tothe ,plane of the draft frame. v

7.2.3. In combination with ,a plurality of rotary rod weeder units each .of which includes a frameand means for supportingthe y.

frame-above the ground; .means 'hingedly securing said frames :together endwise whereby said units mayrise'and. .fall toaccommodate the units to the; surface .of .the ground beingpassedover, a. draft frame ,connected to the several units, and means includinga single operatingleter for tilting-all units with respect to the plane ofthe draft frame.

2th kplurality of machineunits each ineluding frames connected endwise, means for supporting the frame above the ground and ground working elements supported upon the frame; a. tractor hitch comprising a draftframe with draft bars hingedly connected with the respective units frames at points to the rear of the supporting means, and a lever and link device connecting the several units frames with the draft frames whereby the units frames may be inclined to different degrees with respect to the plane of the'hitch.

'25. In combinationwith a plurality of rotary rod weeder units, each of which includes a frame, means for supporting the frame above the ground, a rotary rod and means for rotating the rod; a draft appliance for said units which comprises a tongue, a cross beam rigidly secured to the tongue and bars connecting said tongue withsaid frames to apply the draft force at a place to the rear of and'below the axes of the frame supporting'meangsaid bars underlying, said f frames, guides at the front of said frames for said rods, all being arranged substan} tially as shown and described.

' 26.; In a rotary rod weeder, the combination of a! wheel'supported frame, a rotary rod mounted in fixed position thereon, a draft frame pivotally connected to the wheel supported frame and extending forwardly therefrom, and means for adjusting the relative angular positions of the frames thereby ele- V vating and lowering the'rotary rod said draft frame being positioned to underlie said 1mplement frame and the pivotal axis thereof.

27. A rotary'rod weeder comprising, in combination, a rotary weeding rod in fixed position, a wheel supported frame carrying the rod, a forwardly extending draft frame pivoted to the wheel supported frame and adapted to have its forward end supported by a tractor at a fixed elevation, and manually operable means engaging the frames for adj usting the angular relations'of the frames to vary the ground penetration of the rotary rod said draft frame being positioned to underlie saidjimplement'frame and the pivotal axis thereof.

28. A rotary rod weeder having a main frame, a draft frame'pivotally connected at its rear end tothe main frame and overlapping said frame, a tractor hitch at the forward end of the draft frame, and a pressure 30. A rotary rod weeder comprising, in

combination, a wheel supported frame, a rotary weeding rod carriedby said frame, a

draft frame extending forwardly-of the wheel supported frame andpivotally con nected thereto at a position substantially removed from the front of said wheel supported frame, means at the forward end of the draft frame for attachment to the drawbar of a tractor, and a manually operable pressure regulator connectingthe forward end of the wheel supported'frame and the draft frame,

said pressure regulator being'capable ofrincreasmg the distance between the forward end of the wheel supported frame and the draft frame for raising the rotaryrod from the gr'oundsaid draft frame being positioned to underlie saidwheel'supportedframe. 1

' RALEIGH LARGENT.

regulator adjustably connecting the main frame and the draft frame interm'edi'atethe ends of thelatter said draft frame being positioned to underlie said main frame.

29. In a rotary rod weeder, a wheel supported frame, a rotary weeding rod carried by said frame, a draft frame pivotally con nected to the wheel supported frame at a" substantial distance from the" front'of the latter and extending forwardly therefrom,

, 7 means at theforward end of the draft frame 

